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S&W Model 41

2K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  ditto1958 
#1 ·
S&W Model 41, from 1980. Looked pretty good but someone refinished the grips and didn.t do a very nice job and it wouldn't extract my snap cap from the chamber but the price was right so I brought it home with me. Field stripped and removed the grips. I drenched the grips in stripper so I wouldn't ruin the checkering. I paid particular attention to cleaning the chamber because I've read that is where a lot of extraction issues begin on these. Chamber was not damaged and to my surprise the internals looked pretty fresh. When I put it back together I chambered my snap cap,opened the slide and my cap ejected across the room! Went to the range the next day and put 200rds Federal bulk through it and it ran just about flawlessly and shot nice 2-3" groups at 30' offhand. Not bad for me. My collection is complete, for now.:D
 

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#2 ·
Mikes1707, Your Mod 41 was designed for Standard Velocity 22 LR ammo (1080 fps). I found Wolf Target/Match works really nice in my Mod 41 .... way better than any High Velocity ammo.. I have two barrels .... a 5 1/2" with fully adjustable iron sights and a 7" with a Swift 2X20 scope. From a bench rest and using the scoped 7" barrel, at 25 yards I routinely get 5 shot groups that look like one bullet hole. My Mod 41 was made in 1968 but I bought it brand new in the box from a dealer that was going out of business. Seems he ordered the Mod 41 for a customer that never showed up to purchase it so it sat in his safe for 25 years.

Just some Mod 41 FYI ..... your gun was made in the S&W Maine facility .... the same place where Mod 22s and several other S&W pistols are made. S&W gears up once a year (the month of November) to make Mod 41s and accessories (ie barrels) Their one month production run is supposed to provide a year's worth of pistols. Generally, new Mod 41s are available in December and January but get more scarce as the year progresses. The MSRP for a new Mod 41 is $1369 ... expensive but well worth it. Mod 41s have been the favorite NRA bullseye pistol for decades .... super accurate, super reliable. Here's my Mod 41 with a 7" barrel and Swift 2X20 scope:

 
#3 ·
Thank You Iowegan. I'm going to pick up some wolf and cci std velocity and see what works best for me. Maybe I can tighten up my groups a bit.
Nice 41 you got there! I have 2 cases of Federal automatch that I'll feed my Rugers and an old K-22 that shoots great. :)
 
#4 ·
Awhile back, I had the choice of a real nice 41 and an extremely nice Hamden made High Standard Supermatic Citation. From what I read and heard from match shooters, both were neck and neck as far as accuracy. I ended up getting the High Standard for two reasons, the adjustable trigger was soooooo light and crisp, and of course, the price was less. Anyway, you both have beautiful Smith 41's there, Congrats!!! Someday, I may pull the trigger and find me a nice 41.

BTW, I was told the supermatics were also designed to use standard velocity ammo, something to do with the slide battering the frame because of the factory light coil spring. I use CCI standard velocity, and it shoots fantastic.
 
#5 ·
dt7350, Yes, the High Standard Supermatics were also designed for Standard Velocity ammo. I owned a few many years ago and found them to be exceptionally accurate. Feeding and function is flawless when you get the magazine lips formed just right.

All 22 match grade ammo is Standard Velocity but not all Standard Velocity ammo is match grade ...... so, make sure you don't end up with junk ammo just because it says Standard Velocity on the box.

My Ruger slabside 6 7/8" works just fine with high velocity ammo .... maybe not quite as accurate as match grade ammo but it cycles just fine and is a lot cheaper to shoot. I never shoot anything but match grade ammo in my S&W Mod 41 .... I figure why have a top-of-the-line pistol and settle for anything less than super tight groups. If I want to just go plinking, I have several 22 handguns that serve the purpose.
 
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